There are a few pre-made ingredients that I use in my cooking, and puff pastry is one of those items that I always keep on hand. Years ago, I developed this recipe when I had a few leftover ingredients from my Thanksgiving stuffing recipe. I combined mushrooms, sausage, and onions with cream cheese and spread this over layers of puff pastry to make a delicious yet light appetizer.

The combination of ingredients gives this appetizer full-on flavor. It's easy to make, perfect to serve to your guests, and is also an awesome addition to a light dinner salad.

Why Puff Pastry is a Kitchen Essential

On your next trip to the grocery store, pick up a couple of boxes of puff pastry. They freeze wonderfully and open up so many possibilities! Make cheese straws, wrapped asparagus spears, or a quick apple turnover. Have fun and experiment with this versatile ingredient.

Savory Sausage Mushroom Puff Pastry Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 (17.3 ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed in refrigerator (keep refrigerated until ready to roll out)
• Flour for dusting
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 (16 ounce) package white mushrooms, stemmed, cleaned, and chopped
• 1 large sweet onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. Heat large frying pan over medium heat, add sausage, and cook thoroughly. Break up sausage into small pieces, remove from pan and drain on paper towels.
3. Remove sausage grease from pan. Add olive oil, mushrooms, and onion. Cook over medium heat until onions begin to brown.
4. Stir in garlic and cook another minute. Break cream cheese into chunks, add Parmesan cheese, and stir until cream cheese has combined with onion mixture.
5. Add sausage back into pan and stir until combined. Remove from heat.
6. Remove one sheet of thawed/chilled puff pastry and unfold onto a floured surface. Roll out pastry to form a 10 x 12 inch sheet.
7. Turn pastry sheet so the long side is horizontal to the counter. Place 1 cup of filling in a row along the long side, 1 inch from the edge.
8. Roll edge over the filling mixture and continue to roll until at the halfway point. Add ½ cup of the sausage mixture and spread along the long side of the roll.
9. Continue to roll until a log is formed. Repeat with second sheet of puff pastry.
10. Wrap each puff pastry log in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
11. Slice chilled logs into ¼-inch slices and place on prepared cookie sheets, 5 slices across and 5 rows down per sheet.
12. Bake 13-15 minutes until puff pastry is golden brown.

Yield: Approximately 50 pieces (serves 12-15 people)

Serving Suggestions & Perfect Pairings

Serve these elegant appetizers on a platter with a bowl of Bourbon Honey Mustard for dipping. Don't forget the toothpicks and napkins!

These savory puffs pair beautifully with:

• Our Spiced Pecans for a complete appetizer spread
• An Old Fashioned cocktail made with our Orange Bitters
• Your favorite wine or champagne for elegant entertaining
• Mixed greens for a light dinner salad

Recipe Tips & Make-Ahead Options

• Make Ahead: The logs can be wrapped and frozen for up to 3 months - slice and bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes
• Filling Storage: Remaining sausage mixture can be frozen up to 3 months for future batches
• Pastry Tips: Keep puff pastry cold until ready to use for best results
• Slicing: Use a sharp knife and clean between cuts for neat slices
• Serving Temperature: These are delicious warm or at room temperature

Perfect for Holiday Entertaining

Having a get-together this holiday season? I know your guests will enjoy this easy recipe along with my Spiced Pecans. The combination of savory sausage, earthy mushrooms, and flaky pastry creates an irresistible appetizer that looks elegant but is surprisingly simple to make.

From Leftovers to Favorites

Sometimes the best recipes come from creative problem-solving in the kitchen. What started as a way to use up Thanksgiving stuffing ingredients has become a family favorite that's perfect for any gathering. It's a reminder that cooking is about experimentation, creativity, and making the most of what you have on hand.

These puff pastry appetizers prove that with a few quality ingredients and a little creativity, you can create something truly special for your guests. Cheers to delicious entertaining!